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McDowell Tech reports enrollment gains, plans 25,000 sq. ft. Health Science and Public Safety Center
Summary
McDowell Technical Community College told Marion's council it now serves 27% of its county's population, has grown about 33%, and is planning a 25,000-square-foot Health Science and Public Safety Center funded with state ARPA funds pending contract approval; classes could begin in spring 2029.
Dr. JW Kelly, president of McDowell Technical Community College, told the Marion City Council on April 21 that the college now serves about 27 percent of McDowell County's population and has grown roughly 33 percent, making it the seventh-fastest-growing community college in the state.
The presentation, billed as the college's annual State of the College briefing, detailed enrollment trends, new academic programs and facilities needs that the college said justify planned capital expansion. "McDowell Tech has the highest participation ratio in the state ' serving 27 percent of its county's population," Kelly said.
Kelly said the college tracks two primary enrollment categories: curriculum (for degree programs such as machining and welding) and continuing education (short-term workforce credentials). Both categories have grown since 2020, with continuing education showing particularly strong expansion. He said approximately 65 percent of students are ages 25 to 64 and that nearly 800 students were dually enrolled through early college programs and local high schools.
As evidence of growing programmatic needs, Kelly listed new offerings including Public Safety Administration, Social and Human Services, an LPN-to-ADN bridging program and an Outdoor Economy program that ties directly to a proposed regional recreation effort. Kelly also flagged facilities concerns: the college operates four buildings more than 50 years old and expects to raise those issues with county decision-makers.
Kelly described a planned Health Science and Public Safety Center, a 25,000-square-foot facility the college says would house public safety training with ambulance and fire truck access, nursing and simulation labs including a NICU simulation lab, administrative offices and a rooftop rappel training area. He said the center is expected to be funded through state ARPA funds, that state contract approval is anticipated in the summer and that engineering and preconstruction work would proceed with a goal of groundbreaking before the end of the calendar year; classes could begin as early as spring 2029.
On finances, Kelly said state allocations cover about 90 percent of operational costs while county allocations cover roughly 10 percent and are focused on facilities and capital needs. He noted state funding has increased about 36 percent since 2021 while county funding increased roughly 20 percent over the same period.
Council members asked about program relocation once the new building opens; Kelly said discussions are ongoing and that programs such as construction trades and automotive could move to create space for growing early-college programs. The college emphasized the new center would support workforce development across the region.
The college's presentation included enrollment and program metrics that Kelly said show McDowell Tech catching up with peer institutions in continuing education participation. The council did not take action on college requests during the meeting; next steps were described as awaiting state contract approval and continued coordination with county partners.
